FARMERS in the Forest will be able to cull badgers as part of a controversial Government pilot later this year.

According to reports the Forest has been identified as one of two test areas for the six week cull.

Farmers will be able to apply for licenses to as part of the Government's designed to halt the march of Bovine TB.

Agriculture Minister Jim Paice announced the details today claiming the disease will cost the taxpayer £10 billion over the next decade.

One of the pilots will take in the Forest of Dean and Tewkesbury, and parts of Wychavon, Malvern Hills and west Gloucestershire.

The second pilot is in West Somerset..

The areas were selected, from a shortlist proposed by the farming industry and could open the door to a national cull.

Farmers have welcomed the move which is expected to spark major protests by animal rights and wildlife groups.

Mr Paice said: "Nobody wants to cull badgers. But no country in the world where wildlife carries TB has eradicated the disease in cattle without tackling it in wildlife too.

Natural England will assess applications against a set of strict criteria and farmers will have to prove they are a good shot.

Professor Christopher Wathes will chair an independent panel of experts overseeing the monitoring and evaluation of the pilot areas.